“It’s quite important when you’re trying to win business in the USA because recognition like this carries a lot of weight.

“It’s also timely after moving into this state-of-the-art building. There aren’t many facilities like this outside Oxford and Cambridge so it’s good to show the East Midlands can compete and produce things at least as good as the rest of the country.”

Sir John, who is also chairman of the Midlands Engine initiative for promoting economic growth across the region, said: “Life sciences is a really important sector.

“When you look at what Sygnature is doing here, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, and the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Stanford Hall, it’s bigger than the “golden triangle” of Oxford, Cambridge and London.

“That’s an important economic factor that the government clearly needs to take into account, while the life sciences is bringing great people to the area.”

The Art File is presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise. Pictured is Lucie Whitehead - designer. (Image: Mark Fear)

Fellow international trade award winner The Art File, based in Weekday Cross, designs greeting cards, gifts and stationery for chains including John Lewis, Paperchase and Waterstones, as well as about 1,000 independent retailers.

It also works in about 25 countries, with exports worth 30 percent of the company’s £4.5m turnover.

Managing director Ged Mace, who runs the 20-year-old business with wife Karen and son James, said: “The award is going to be excellent in helping us to get into new markets.

“In light of Brexit, the more ‘Britishness’ we can produce for overseas customers the better, so it stands us in good stead.

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“As an industry and country, we’re one of the best in the world with regards to publishing and printing for the finishes we do so a lot of people come to companies in the UK to get the high-quality and standards that we can provide.”

Bridgeway Consulting, in Riverside Way, off Queens Road, won the sustainable development award after working on high-profile projects for the likes of Network Rail and local authorities, including the Crossrail project in London and HS2 enabling work at Euston Station.

Managing director Pino De Rosa said: “Having started the business in 1995 and to be in a position where we are able to be recognised with something with so much prestige is something I’m extremely proud and humble about.

“To win the sustainable development award shows a lot about the ethos of the business and how we consider community, environment and fair, sustainable development from apprenticeship level right the way through to long-serving staff.

“We’ve been able to run for the past 22 years and negotiation a number of recessions while always re-inventing ourselves and innovating.”

Sir John added: “This is the highest award you can get for enterprise, trade and innovation.

“The fact we’ve had so many award winners in Nottinghamshire shows what an enterprising and creative area of the country this really is.

“It’s a great compliment and great credit to the people in those businesses who are creating jobs and economic growth for the future.”

Three other companies from Nottinghamshire won the international trade award, including Abacus Lighting, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, as well as Romo Group and Sanglier Ltd, both based in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.